Prog-rock/metal is strong but tonight is a showcase of Melbourne's up and coming breed with Jericco, The Eternal, Black And White and Aural Window. All have strong local followings so the venue will be crammed like a Japanese train carriage.

Aural Window begin proceedings fresh from a recent tour of the USA and this is the first time I've seen them since changes from their original line-up. The music is remains consistent with one part oi-rock, one part operatic thrash and one part skater punk. And frontwoman Sheena Young demands the crowd’s attention with searing vocals and a strut I will avoid making a chauvinistic, overly sexualized metaphor for lest she cave my skull in with her foot.

Tonight their set tight and punchy, playing tracks from their latest EP Cocoon and Epitropos, a few older tracks and introducing newie Candlelight in Georgia. Energy was also high but the band still seemed to be set in overseas mode often repeating the name of the band and once calling the crowd Melbourne (you live here with us, derr).

Aural Window dedicated all CD and merch sales on the night to Japanese Red Cross Society and Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support, so I chipped in for a bottle opener since I already have the EPs.

Black And White bring a new style of old-skool nu-metal together with pop-synths and hardcore hooks to create a brand of alternative-but-accessible rock; like some weird hybrid of Tool, Pendulum and Hi-5. The crowd, including myself, are at first a bit more dumbfounded than engaged in the set, but it’s more a case of minds needing time to process these sounds and adjust to something new. It’s like white people listening to jazz for the first time, no-one knew what was happening.

Frontman Ant Lewis bounces around the stage like the metal ball in a pinball machine if it had flippers along all walls - and the band does its best to keep out of the way. Chit chat between songs is witty as well, with Ant bidding the crowd farewell after the first song and running through all their online presences that apparently includes YouPorn, not that I’ve checked yet…

Anyway Black And White have an amazing new sound and a killer live show that everyone should experience. If luck or God (or Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson) have anything to do with it Black And White could just be our next big export.

The Eternal are new to me, they play a more traditional hard rock spliced with a sociopathic aura, so like Tea Party (since the gig I’ve discovered that one Jeff Martin actually produced their latest album Under A New Sun) or Sir James Martin era Faith No More with plenty of roaring guitar, chugging bass, booming drums and dark vocals.

They say they play something a little bit eastern and dancey but I didn’t really find their music either. But they do have a rather epic sound that deserves respect despite my indifference to the band.

Jericco start out with sampled news lines from eastern world news reports, setting the scene for their brand of eastern influenced prog rock, like a less funky but more brutal Incubus. An early glimpse of a megaphone being passed around stage give a glimpse of what’s to come.

The stage barely contains the band who hang off every edge and pillar available. The crowd has amassed and are only too happy to oblige to calls of action throughout the set, clapping and shouting when required. The night has sold out as expected but the crowd thins over the duration of the set which is disappointing.

Jericco plays a well rehearsed set that includes fan favorites Sun, Always and Rujm (Pile of Stones), as well as newer tracks Cause and Effect, Chili and Safe To Say. They promise to leak new material until new album drops in 2012 and a live album was being finalised for release soon.

A loud JER-IC-CO chant starts up after the band leaves the stage and upon returning for an encore the band comment that the stigma of Melbourne crowds standing back and doing nothing doesn't apply here. And then they grind out a final farewell.

Jerrico Black and White and Aural Window play together again in Melbourne along with Life to Order on 25 June at the Curtin Bandroom. Be there.

-jon

King Cannons are back home in their new home of Melbourne to celebrate the launch of their debut self titled EP, out on newly signed label and management from EMI Music Australia and Footstomp Music respectively. So tonight the stage is set at one of my homes away from home, the Northcote Social Club, with supports from Judge Pino and the Ruling Motions and Clairy Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes.

Not many people came early to see Judge Pino and the Ruling Motions, but it’s their loss for missing this amazing set of reggae classics. The boys are all suited up playing covers from all the greats such as Dennis Brown and Delroy Wilson.

Their arrangements are brilliant with each instrument carefully complimenting one another with great layering and not much overlapping besides the skank.

Each band member is introduced during different songs while showcasing their talents. Judge Pino and the Ruling Motions are an extremely fun band and well worth the trip to your local to groove along to.

Later on in the night I met bassist Jarrit Waters (also MC/DJ Jwaters) and friends who had nothing but praise for tonight’s other support act Clairy Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes…

By the time Clairy and her Rackettes (who are totally Bangin’) hit the stage the NSC is a packed house with plenty of fans here to hear doo-wop and see go-go dancers in leopard print.

They’ve a full band setup of drums, guitar, keys, bass and sax, along with Clairy leading vocals with aforementioned go-go dancers in support. With their original tracks Clairy asks for and delivers an ass shaking that would show Little Red how the 50s/60s really rocked.

They then finished with an amazing medley that included the unlikely blend Salt N Pepper and Dolly Parton that closed the set with a Batman-styled KABLAM!

Between sets (and a few darts) I ducked next door to 303 for some more Rasta-reggae from Ras Jahknow where a barefoot dance floor was pumping. It would have been very easy to stay there if I wasn’t so excited about the King Cannons, having tasted it when they supported Bedouin Soundclash earlier in the year.

King Cannons jumped the gun kicking out hits Gasoline and Take the Rock from the outset, showcasing their heavy influences from The Clash and the like with pure aggression/passion. Tying in with tonight’s theme Life Goes On takes up the reggae vibe of the night.

Frontman Luke Yeoward stands a commanding presence front of stage, barking orders like an army sergeant but with moves (and hair) as slick as a BP oil spill. Guitarist Rob Ting makes big sounds despite is relative size, bassist Jonno Smith has many females fans in the crowd from my observations, while keys player Michael Ting creates chaos on his organ/harpsichord-sounding keyboard. Drummer Josh Matthews and percussionist Lanae Eruera run the beat (with some awesome cowbell action) and bring an ultra percussive sound on some tracks, especially when Michael joins in.

With a good percentage of the crowd sharing King Cannons’ New Zealand heritage, it helps solidify Melbourne as their new home. But it also allows the band to be inspired by a oz rock sound on new track Shot To Kill.

A more mellow song inspires a few lighters to strain (but luckily don’t break) the smoke alarms patience. But then they turn the power up again for a riot in the mosh pit for Teenage Dreams. Closing out the night King Cannons ask Clairy Browne to join them on stage for fitting farewell with a cover of Ike and Tina Turner’s Rhode Island.

Back at 303, Rasta Unity continued my reggae-themed night and finished with PBS’s Babylon Burning host Jesse I spinning discs into the night.

-jon

Published on Sludge Factory